Monday, December 31, 2007

Happy New Year!

We set off to First Night Dover to ring in 2008...but we didn't quite make it. The kids tuckered out at about 10:30. But, it was still lots of fun! First Night Dover is an alcohol free celebration. Many downtown businesses and churches open their doors to host various entertainers. It's a great time...and the entertainment is always top notch. I always find it particularly amusing that several banks are used as venues. It just seems strange to me to have a bunch of people packed into a bank listening to a band!

This was our first First Night since we've had children. Jeff and I had gone a few times over the years pre-kids, but it's been a long time for us. We were both amazed and how much it seems to have grown since we've been to one. Although we didn't see a lot of the entertainment, we were very impressed with what we did see. Most notably was a guy names Dan Dunn who did a show called Paint Jam. It sounded pretty silly to me, but word on the street was that it was amazing. So, after watching Jessie & James' Nuts over Mutts, we stuck around for the "Paint Guy." This was mostly because it was warm and did not require walking.

Immediately upon taking the stage, this guy was entertaining. He was dressed all in black--and covered in paint sploshes. The lights lowered....and the music "jammed" He grabbed a few paint brushes and kinda just started throwing paint around in what appeared to be total randomness and chaos. We sat there just watching. Jeff leaned over at one point and asked, "What is it?" I shrugged my shoulders and said, "...I don't know...uh...a fish? A plane." Within maybe ten seconds of that exchange, the guy spun the canvas around. And there we were....Face to face with The King. Amazing...We were "All Shook Up." It was AMAZING!

So, here is a video of another painting this guy did. Be sure to watch the WHOLE thing...You can check out his website by clicking here Happy New Year!

Sunday, December 30, 2007

The Hills are Alive with...A Spoonful of Sugar?



Tonight, ABC aired The Sound of Music. Because Jecilyn and Treavor seem to enjoy music so much, Jeff and and I put it on for them. Jecilyn was a little upset at first, but once she heard the music she was hooked. As Julie Andrews danced across the screen, I asked her, "Do you know who that lady is?" At first, she said "No." Then...she watched for a few moments and said...."Oh! Yes! It's Mary Poppins. She is Mary Poppins from the movie." I tell you...this child NEVER ceases to amaze me with her perceptiveness! In Mary Poppins, Julie Andrews had long dark hair. In The Sound of Music, it's short and blonde. I'm not quite sure HOW Jecilyn made the connection...but she did. And, it seems we will be adding The Sound of Music to our collection of DVDs!

Who Lives In A Pineapple Under the Sea?


SPONGE BOB SQUARE PANTS!!!! As Jecilyn will tell you, I do not like Sponge Bob Square Pants. Maybe it's just me...but I find it inappropriate. Sure, he's cute...but I find the humor too grown up for young children. Furthermore, I see too many sexual innuendos in the graphics...but maybe I'm just a whacko...(Ok, I am...but I'm not sure that THIS is what makes me one!)...Anyway, there is a point here....

My friend Scott (who we all call Daddy) was on a mission to find size 12 bikini panties for his grand daughter Danika. He enlisted my help. We searched all the local stores. We found exactly one pair that was a size 16. I bought those thinking...well, the worst that could happen is WEDGIE! Then, I found a package of women's size 5. I bought those just in case.

We scoured the internet...but to no avail. So, I got a little tricky. I bought some plain panties in her size, and some iron on transfer paper. I googgled "Sponge Bob" Images and downloaded some of the pictures I found. Of course, while I did this, Jecilyn was by my side going, "Mommy...what are you doing? You don't like Sponge Bob. You think he's gross. Why are you looking at him mommy? Can I watch Sponge Bob?..." Why can't she listen to EVERTHING I tell her!?!?!

So, I printed out the images and Scott and I ironed them on. They came out great. We just wish that we'd have had more plain white pairs. We did front pictures and back pictures on some. So cute!

I'm sure we violated some copyright laws....Oh well...then it shouldn't be so easy to do, right!!?!? The kid wanted them...and we couldn't find them! Resourcefullness counts for something! I hear she really liked them! And, No wedgies! Here are the pictures! To hear the theme song, click here.


Friday, December 28, 2007

Fun Food Friday--March of the Penguins


I know I've done this one before...but it's just so darn cute! I made these for Jecilyn's School Christmas Party. All the kids loved them--as did the staff. However, most of the eggs ended up rolling on the floor....Oh well!

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Treavor's First Haircut!

We got Treavor's Haircut a few weeks ago--December 15th. I finally convinced Jeff that it was time. It's funny, from what I understand, it's usually Dads that want their son's hair cut...and moms who want to wait. That did not happen here. I kept saying the boy needs a hair cut! Jeff kept telling me he didn't...but he finally caved. We took him...and now that we see the before pictures, he agrees! It needed a trim!

Treavor did great. We went to the Hair Cuttery in Dover. Paige cut his hair. She was really good with him. It took her about 45 minutes to cut his hair...and he went through about 5 Lollipops. Now, I'm not generally the type of mom that bribes with candy....but desperate times call for desperate measures.

We arrived at the store with camera in hand. However, when I turned it on, I realized the battery was nearly drained. So, I sent Jeff home to grab the charger. I stayed in the store with the kids. Note to self: Hair salon on a busy Saturday afternoon is not a good place to be left alone with children. They began throwing products off the shelves. Jecilyn wasn't so bad. She just wanted to play with the "Nake up." Treavor was throwing bottles of shampoo, hairspray, conditioner, etc all around. He'd knock over a display. I'd try to recover it and then CRASH! Something else would go down. And, then of course, I have Jecilyn trying to be the big sister and yelling at her brother and standing in his way which results in VERY LOUD VERY HIGH pitched screaming. So much fun!

As if I wasn't already embarrassed enough, there was an elderly lady with a thick German accident getting her hair colored. She said in one of those loud whispers that only drunks and old people do--you know the one I mean....Where they THINK they are whispering...but everyone with in a 30 ft radius can hear them--"Well, those children are completely out of control. She does not have control over them at all does she? What is wrong with her?" That was fun....really fun.

So, when Treavor started screaming, I was all too happy to shove a lollipop, or two or five in his mouth!!!! Here are some pictures of the hair cut!

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Why Don't You Ever Do Anything Around the House?

Jeff often asks what the $%** it is that I do all day. I try to explain to him that all I do is watch the children, prepare all their meals from scratch, chauffer them around, and then, when that is all done, I go to work. I generally get up at 5 a.m. and get home about 10:30 p.m. IT's usually about midnight before I get to bed. On a good night, I am home by 8 p.m. I don't know why it is that I don't really seem to get much done around the house. Jeff gets upset with me because I get so behind on the laundry and dishes during the week. He feels that he spends the weekends catching up on all I haven't done during the week. As much as I hate to admit it, he is right. I am a horrible house keeper. But, I do feel I have an excuse. My kids do not appreciate it when Mommy does not give them 110% of her undivided attention. They grow little horns and tails when I am trying to do something else. About two weeks ago, Jeff was home from work. He was outside trying to hang Christmas lights. I had the kids inside, and I decided to try and get through the mound of laundry.

I went in the laundry room and started the washer. I threw a few things in the washer, and then went upstairs to gather some more clothes. I came back downstairs, and put the clothes in the washer. And, this is what was waiting for me when I returned to the room where my little angels were playing....







Merry Christmas!

Here's a little something worth a watch! We're busy opening gifts and trying out all the new gadgets! Hope to have some time to upload pictures of our day later! Have a blessed day!

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Wheat Free Wednesday

Finally! Here are the pictures from Thanksgiving! There were only a few things that weren't "Treavor Safe! They are clearly labelled!!

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

I'm From Delaware

So, this guy named Todd Chappelle wrote this very funny song about Delaware. I love it. Someone did a video on You Tube....I think it's great. So, here it is! Enjoy. Although, for those of you non-Delawareans...well, it's probably not so funny. I think you need to have lived here....but, you tell me!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Go Elf Yourself

My friend sent me this very cool and fun link to this site which is sponsored by Office Max. Click here to watch! Very Funny! And, you can do it yourself! Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

Friday, December 7, 2007

At Last...Introducing Stella Blu Victoria!







I know...I know...I'm the worst aunt ever because it's taken me so long to get these pictures up! I'm sorry Little Princess! Isn't she adorable!!?!? I think Chris and Rhonda took her to get some Christmas pictures done last week! I can't wait for those! I'll post them as soon as I get them!




Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Where does she get this stuff?

Yesterday at 6:00 a.m., we were forced to make a Safeway run. Daddy used the last drop of milk while I was at work on Monday and did not tell me. Treavor woke up at 5:00 a.m. He wanted a "ba ba." I had nothing to give him....I even tried breastfeeding...which haven't done since Thursday...to no avail. The kid wanted it. We left before 6, and it was still dark. It took some convincing, but I finally convinced Jecilyn that it was ok to go in her jammies because it was still dark outside. She looked at me like a was a complete idiot and said, "Uh, yeah, but it won't be when we get done at the store." She was right....But I was desperate. I convinced her that it would be ok. so, we were off.

As we were driving down the road, she says, "Mommy...what's that smell? It smells like airplane." We were behind a school bus. She smelled the exhaust. And, it did smell like an airplane....

Crazy kid!

Wheat Free Wednesday

I'm a little late, but better late than never I suppose. Thanksgiving was my biggest challenge yet as far as making things safe for Treavor's allergies. I decided that everything I made that day would be "Treavor Safe."

It's funny. Jeff and I have made Thanksgiving Dinner probably 8 times over the years. For the last five years or so, Jeff has fried a turkey. Usually mid October we have a conversation that goes a little something like this:

Jeff: What do you want to do for Thanksgiving this year?

Me: I think we should just go out somewhere. It's cheaper, faster, and much less work.

Jeff: Oh...But I like making dinner.

Me: It's a lot of work. it seems silly when it's just us. I don't want to go through all that crap. Let's just go out.

Jeff: But I want to make the turkey.


(At this point I am forced to wonder the point of this conversation which started 'What do YOU want to do for Thanksgiving?" Clearly it should have been, "This is what I want to do for Thanksgiving"....but I digress...)

Me: It's a pain in the ass. I don't want to.

Jeff: But, I'll cook. You don't have to do anything.


(Now, you'd think after falling into this trap for eight years, I'd learn....but I didn't)


And so the big day arrives. Jeff gets the turkey ready. He makes mashed potatoes. Then he makes enough hors d'oeuvres to feed an army. Then he goes out and heats up the oil. And he stands there and watches it. Then he puts the turkey in the oil. He stands there and watches it. He will make the occasional appearance in the kitchen to say how cold it is out there. (Duh! This ain't the south! That's why use OVENS! (Although, technically, I guess it is The South...we are south of the Mason Dixon Line!) He also empties his bladder of the beer that he is drinking while he's cooking--I mean watching--the turkey.

Meanwhile, I'm in the house doing "nothing." By nothing, I mean, making sweet potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, corn, cranberry sauce and rolls. Now, I've always complained about having to do "nothing" while Jeff made the turkey. However, I've also always wondered just what the big deal was. I couldn't understand why people got so stressed out about cooking. Or, why they got up at the butt crack of dawn...This year...I GET IT!

You see, my "nothing" that I complained about consisted of:

1.)Open box of Stuffing. Follow Directions. (Which I believe are add water and butter and stir
2.)Take Green Beans out of freezer. Open can of Cream of Mushroom Soup. Follow Directions. (Which I think it add milk and poor over beans. Real tough stuff!)
3.) Open can of yams. Pour in dish. Decide I need another can. Repeat. Add butter, sugar, cinnamon, brown sugar in no specific quantities. Put in oven. Top later with marshmallows. Burn Marshmallows. Scrape off and Repeat.
4.) Take corn out of freezer. Put in bowl. Add butter and water. Put in microwave.
5.) Open can of cranberry sauce. Fight to get out of can. Slice.
6.) Open up package of rolls. Put in oven. Realize they are burning when I smell the marshmallows also burning.
7.) Open can of gravy. Heat on stove.
That's pretty much it. And, then sometimes I'd "bake" a pie. Now, that consists of, Opening Box. Place on cookie sheet and bake.....

This year, Nettie, Steph and I started cooking about 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday. We were at it until about midnight. I got up and was back at it about 7:00. We ate at about 2:00 p.m....I never sat down.

None of our "normal" thanksgiving dishes are Treavor Safe. So, we had to make everything from scratch. For the first time ever, I made my own stuffing (ok, it was a group effort between Nettie, Steph and me...as was the whole meal). It was a cornbread stuffing. We made the cornbread using oat flour--which I ground myself! It was delicious!!! We also made a rice stuffing which we used to stuff the turkey. Also delicious!

We had all of the "traditional" Thanksgiving menu--but it was all tweaked a bit to be safe for Treavor. And, it was all wonderful!!!! We had mashed potatoes (with chicken broth and rice milk!), sweet potato casserole (with vegan "butter" and pineapple), gravy (made with cornstarch), cranberry muffins, pumpkin muffins, cranberry salad (made with fresh cranberries), fresh sauteed green beans, apple pie (with an oat crust)and carrot cake (gluten free). I took lots of pictures...which I can't upload at the moment. I will do that very soon. In the meantime, here's the cornbread stuffing recipe. I used Emily Hendrix's cornbread recipe from her book Sophie Safe Cooking. The stuffing recipe, I believe, is from Dreena Burton's book entitled Everyday Vegan. I found it online and it is credited to her.

Traditional Cornbread Stuffing
Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free

Serves 8
2 1/2 pounds cornbread
3 tablespoons unsalted butter or olive oil
1 1/2 cups finely chopped onion
3/4 cup finely chopped celery
1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried sage
2 teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup chicken or turkey stock

Ingredient Options: use a gluten-free cornbread or dairy-free cornbread. Use a gluten-free stock.

Cut cornbread into 1-inch cubes, place on a large baking sheet and let "stale" for several hours or overnight. Place in a large mixing bowl. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350°F.

In a large skillet, heat butter or oil over medium low heat. Add onion, celery and carrot and cook, stirring frequently, until softened but not browned. Stir in the thyme, sage, salt and pepper. Add mixture to cornbread and toss to blend. Slowly pour in stock and toss to moisten. Spread the stuffing in a buttered or oiled 9x15-inch baking dish. Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until the top is crisp and golden.

Nutrition Info
Per Serving (5.5 oz.): 290 calories (90 calories from fat), 10g total fat, 3.5g saturated fat, 3g dietary fiber, 7g protein, 44g carbohydrate, 45mg cholesterol, 1080mg sodium